בית יתיר, דרום הר חברון, חברון, יום ה’ 22.12.11, בוקר
Translated by Jenny L.
Today we also entered via the Meitar Crossing checkpoint with the intention of getting an impression of the story of uprooted olive trees. We stopped at the side of the road below the illegal outpost Eshtamo'a and crossed the road to get a look albeit from a distance at the orchard, part of which had been uprooted. Hardly a moment passed and from the outpost above 7 or 8 of the inhabitants already came running down, looking in our direction, with one of them making waving signs clearly implying that we should get away; get lost. At the same time, a soldier speedily ran onto the scene and when he reached the edge of the mountain aimed his weapon at us. We spontaneously all made our way back to our car so as not to further escalate the situation. We continued in the direction of Hebron, and on the way stopped at the entrance to Ngohot to talk to a group of soldiers with a jeep. We reported the incident to the officer and he promised to look into it.
Next to the southern entrance to Hebron, (which is blocked by boulders), the Israel Road Authority is carrying out roadworks.
Hebron
A group of young tourists with a local guide met us at Abed's place. They are from France, Brazil and Canada and plan tomorrow to be in Bethlehem for Christmas. We're all invited up to Abed's house to talk to the guests, accompanied by a "Maklouba" feast. The show interest and we try to explain.
The plaza near the Patriachs' Cave is busier than ever, what with it being both Channukah and almost Christmas Eve, with many tourists about…
A very short visit with Azam, then we again turn south.
We travel to the Metsudat Yehuda crossing, which is near to Beit Yatir, in order to see the children who cross over from school to their homes over the border, on the Israeli side (the Abu-Gavita family), but we missed them. Nevertheless it was important for us to talk to the shift manageress at the crossing, who openly explained: "We've several times requested that they stop checking the children (in total, some 15) who cross there on a daily basis. So far the orders are to continue checking them." According to her – if we want to – we can apply to "Ramim" [Acronym for "Land Crossings Authority", subject to the Ministry of Defense].
We returned to Israel via the Meitar Crossing, and again we enjoyed the easy, positive approach that is so different to that at the Tarqumiya checkpoint.
"Happy" holidays.
Hebron
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According to Wye Plantation Accords (1997), Hebron is divided in two: H1 is under Palestinian Authority control, H2 is under Israeli control. In Hebron there are 170,000 Palestinian citizens, 60,000 of them in H2. Between the two areas are permanent checkpoints, manned at all hours, preventing Palestinian movement between them and controlling passage of permit holders such as teachers and schoolchildren. Some 800 Jews live in Avraham Avinu Quarter and Tel Rumeida, on Givat HaAvot and in the wholesale market.
Checkpoints observed in H2:
- Bet Hameriva CP- manned with a pillbox
- Kapisha quarter CP (the northern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
- The 160 turn CP (the southern side of Zion axis) - manned with a pillbox
- Avraham Avinu quarter - watch station
- The pharmacy CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
- Tarpat (1929) CP - checking inside a caravan with a magnometer
- Tel Rumeida CP - guarding station
- Beit Hadassah CP - guarding station
Three checkpoints around the Tomb of the Patriarchs
Lea ShakdielMay-27-2025Hebron, settlers vandalized the sign of the girls' school
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South Hebron Hills
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South Hebron Hills
South Hebron Hills is a large area in the West Bank's southern part.
Yatta is a major city in this area: right in the border zone between the fertile region of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants.
The surrounding villages are called Masafer Yatta (Yatta's daughter villages). Their inhabitants subsist on livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is possible only in small plots, especially near streams. Most of the area consists of rocky terraces.Since the beginning of the 1980s, many settlements have been established on the agricultural land cultivated by the Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills region: Carmel, Maon, Susia, Masadot Yehuda, Othniel, and more. Since the settlements were established and Palestinians cultivation areas have been reduced; the residents of the South Hebron Hills have been suffering from harassment by the settlers. Attempts to evict and demolish houses have continued, along with withholding water and electricity. The military and police usually refrain from intervening in violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians do not enforce the law when it comes to the investigation of extensive violent Jewish settlers. The harassment in the South Hebron Hills includes attacking and attempting to burn residential tents, harassing dogs, harming herds, and preventing access to pastures.
There are several checkpoints in the South Hebron Hills, on Routes 317 and 60. In most of them, no military presence is apparent, but rather an array of pillboxes monitor the villages. Roadblocks are frequently set up according to the settlers and the army's needs. These are located at the Zif Junction, the Dura-al Fawwar crossing, and the Sheep Junction at the southern entrance to Hebron.
Updated April 2022
Smadar BeckerDec-14-2025A World Food Program (WFP) sticker at the entrance to a grocery store in Tuwani
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